Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 21
Śrīrāmāvatāravarṇanam (Description of Śrī Rāma’s Incarnation) — Ayodhyā Abhiṣeka, Vanavāsa, Daśaratha’s Death, Bharata’s Regency
चतुर्दशसमा रामो वने वसतु संयतः कथितमिति ख, ङ, चिह्नितपुस्तकद्वयपाठः सम्भारैर् एभिरद्यैव भरतोत्राभिषेच्यताम्
caturdaśasamā rāmo vane vasatu saṃyataḥ kathitamiti kha, ṅa, cihnitapustakadvayapāṭhaḥ sambhārair ebhiradyaiva bharatotrābhiṣecyatām
„Rāma, der sich selbst bezwingt, soll vierzehn Jahre im Wald wohnen—so ist es überliefert (nach der Lesart der Handschriftenzeugen kha und ṅa). Und mit eben diesen Krönungsgeräten soll Bharata hier noch heute gesalbt werden.“
Narrative voice within Agni Purana (Agni speaking to Vasiṣṭha, relaying an Itihāsa-style episode)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Dharmashastra","secondary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","practical_application":"Illustrates succession ethics, exile as fulfillment of vow/boon, and procedural immediacy of coronation decisions in polity.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Fourteen-Year Exile and Immediate Coronation Order","lookup_keywords":["chaturdasha-samā","vana-vāsa","Bharata-abhisheka","rajya","succession"],"quick_summary":"A directive is issued: Rāma must undertake fourteen years of forest-dwelling, and Bharata is to be anointed immediately using prepared coronation materials. It captures how vows and political procedure collide."}
Alamkara Type: Nirdesha (directive style)
Concept: Rajadharma must negotiate vows/boons, legitimacy, and public order; self-restraint (saṃyata) is praised even amid injustice.
Application: Leaders should recognize how procedural acts (abhisheka) can legitimize contested decisions; personal restraint can preserve social stability.
Khanda Section: Itihasa-narrative / Raja-dharma (Ayodhya succession context)
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: Kingdom
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A decisive court order: Rāma is sent to forest for fourteen years; coronation articles are readied and Bharata’s anointing is commanded immediately.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: Ayodhya palace interior, ministers holding abhisheka vessels, a messenger-like figure proclaiming 'vana-vāsa', Rāma shown calm and restrained, stylized architecture and lotus motifs","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: coronation paraphernalia—kalasha, conch, lamps—arranged before a throne; Bharata indicated as recipient, gold leaf highlighting vessels and jewelry, rich temple-like framing","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: clear narrative panel split—left Rāma departing toward forest with ascetic composure, right abhisheka setup for Bharata, fine lines and soft colors, didactic clarity","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: palace scene with courtiers, abhisheka items on carpet, proclamation being read, architectural arches and detailed garments, subdued emotional expressions"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"epic","suggested_raga":"Kedar","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"epic"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सम्भारैर् = सम्भारैः (रेफ-संधि); एभिरद्यैव = एभिः + अद्य + एव; भरतोत्र = भरतः + उत्र.
Related Themes: Agni Purana narrative retellings of Ramayana episodes (general); Agni Purana Rajadharma: abhisheka, succession, counsel (general)
FAQs
It uses the technical royal-ritual term abhiṣeka (consecration/anointing) and the practical notion of sambhāra (the prepared requisites) for immediately performing a coronation.
By embedding governance and statecraft themes—succession, exile, and coronation logistics—alongside ritual vocabulary, it exemplifies how the Agni Purana ranges beyond theology into practical rajadharma and polity.
Rama’s self-restraint and acceptance of forest-dwelling highlight dharma-based renunciation, while the abhiṣeka instruction frames kingship as a sacral duty established through consecratory rite rather than mere power.